They have been a symbol of the coronavirus pandemic but since restrictions were lifted in July, figures show the number of people wearing face masks has fallen.

But with cases on the rise once again this week and calls for government intervention, we headed into Oxford to find out what shoppers think about face coverings.

It has not been a legal requirement to wear masks or coverings indoors or on public transport since July 19.

Currently the government recommends that people wear masks in crowded or enclosed spaces, such as public transport where ‘you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet’.

The onus has been transferred to the individual to make 'personal risk-based judgements' about the pandemic.

And that appeared to be the case during our trip to the Westgate Centre on Tuesday.

Around 20 to 25 per cent of people were wearing some sort of face covering, with the other 75 to 80 per cent either not wear one at all, wearing it under their chin or carrying it.

One woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “My mum looks after an older lady and so I wear my mask to protect her.

“I have been double jabbed but I think it is selfish not to wear one because someone else could catch it and die.

“I have had Covid twice and don’t want to be in bed again for ten days.”

Sharing her thoughts about those who don't wear them, she added: “Don’t get me started on it! I get so annoyed.”

Not everyone agreed. Another woman said: “I personally do not agree with them. I do not think they work, we wore them last year and cases were still going up.

“I think it should be a personal choice.”

One couple, who wished to remains anonymous, said they choose not to wear masks in open spaces, such as the Westgate Centre, because they are both fully vaccinated.

However, they did add that they wear masks on public transport and at work, as they work with lots of different people.

Two young women said: “We aren’t wearing ours right now as we are not going into shops but when we are on the bus we do.”

They added that in education settings they are actively encouraged to wear their masks.

They also noted that lots of people are not wearing their masks anymore and the number continue to go down, with one of the women saying “I guess when it isn’t compulsory people just won’t.”

According to scientists, the main benefit from wearing face masks is that they block up to 80 per cent of airborne virus droplets that cause the disease to spread. They may also prevent about 50 per cent of droplets from being inhaled too.

A report published in scientific journal The Lancet, which analysed data from 172 studies in 16 countries, found that by wearing a face mask, there is just a three per cent chance of catching coronavirus.

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